Cindy Long / Woven by Design has a long-standing tradition of supporting Valle Country Fair. Of course, this year things will be a little different! She won’t be doing her pre-dawn set up in preparation to greet the thousands of people who usually attend this classic craft show and country fair the third weekend in October. The Valle Country Fair will be virtual this year due to COVID-19. Cindy would like to encourage all supporters of craft to check out their online Fair October 1–17, 2020, and support them in their cause for the 42nd consecutive year!

The Valle Country Fair was founded in 1978 by the members of Holy Cross Episcopal Church to raise funds for community outreach. This tradition continues as 100% of net proceeds go to those in need in our community. The mission of Holy Cross includes a commitment to “share Christ’s love through compassionate ministry.” The 2019 fair channeled $60,000 to High Country organizations which serve people in need. Part of the money is disbursed via grants to area ministries and some is retained to be used for outreach throughout the year to assist individuals and families in crisis. Nonprofit groups in Avery and Watauga counties are invited to apply to receive monies from the fair by contacting the mission and outreach commission of the Church of the Holy Cross.

Also this year, Cindy was one of only twenty artisans invited to participate in the Duke Hospital Holiday Art Invitational Exhibit and Sale.

Since 1978, Arts and Health, now a department within Guest Services of the Duke University Health System, has enriched and supported the healthcare environment by providing quality literary, performing, and visual arts programming to the Duke Health community. We believe that access to the arts is essential for the health and well-being of patients, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

During the holiday season, Arts and Health curates a Holiday Arts and Craft Invitational within the Arts and Health galleries located in the Concourse between Duke Hospital North and the Duke Medicine Pavilion. Bill Gregory, Visual Arts Program Coordinator says, “Our goal for this invitational is to highlight works by talented local and regional craftsmen and artists, and to offer staff, patients, and families an opportunity to enjoy a delightful exhibit and ultimately purchase unique, quality items at relatively affordable prices during the holiday season.”

Be sure to visit and view the exhibit at Mars Galleries at Duke Hospital Hallway and this year there will be additional display cases throughout the hospital and clinics from November 3, 2020, through January 6, 2021.